A fire that destroyed an old automotive repair shop on Highway 62 just north of Maitland Drive in Belleville early this morning (Friday) is being investigated as suspicious.
Belleville and Quinte West firefighters were called out at 4:34 a.m. to what was termed a shed fire located right beside an Esso gas station and variety store.
The structure was fully engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived but the focus immediately began on the protection of a nearby large propane tank and the gas station next door.
“This could have been a very dangerous situation. We did a good job of getting this knocked down quickly and keeping the flames away from all of that combustible material,” said Belleville Fire Protection Officer Dave MacMullen. “And there was another storage building behind the old shop that was full of tires. We managed to stop that burn right at the door which was great because a big tire fire alone causes all kinds of problems.”
MacMullen says the fire started outside the building and spread inside. The Belleville Police Identification Unit is involved in the investigation along with the Fire Department.
Inside the metal clad wood frame building was an F-150 pickup truck, a racing car, tires and other equipment. The damage estimate is $150,000.
No one was injured.
